Young cricketers learn vital first aid skills

England's under 19 cricketers have been learning vital first aid skills in memory of a Leicestershire teenager who died of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).

On Monday, they took part in Joe's Mini HeartStart 4 Sports, a free training programme that teaches cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator.

The training is one of the key priorities of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, a local charity dedicated to raising awareness of heart conditions such as SADS and ensuring the local sporting community is ready and equipped to deal with someone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

The session took place at Loughborough University where they also learned what to do if someone has a cardiac arrest.

Joe Humphries died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, aged 14, in October 2012, while out running near his family home in Rothley.

Since then, his family and friends have campaigned for a better understanding of sudden, unexpected death in young people, and for compulsory CPR training in schools and defibrillators in schools, sports clubs and other venues.

Tim Boon, England under-19s head coach, said: "I was keen to support this charity and wanted the England under-19s to be up-skilled in CPR."